What is PDF? How to convert PDF scans into editable and replicable files
PDF is not unfamiliar to most office workers. Often, we say 'send me a PDF format', and sometimes our leaders require us to submit reports in PDF format. Does this mean that we truly understand PDF? Do you really know what PDF is? Upon careful consideration, it seems that I don't really understand it, but I have seen and talked about it a lot and now I know about the existence of this file format. So, let's give a simple and easy to understand introduction to PDF.
In addition, after introducing what PDF is, we will teach you a method to convert scanned PDF files into editable and searchable text files. Interested friends remember to read it at the end.
Outline
- Introduction to PDF Basic Content
- Technical characteristics of PDF
- Application scenarios of PDF
- Advantages of PDF
- Comparison between PDF and other document formats
- How to make PDF scans replicable and editable?
- PDF to PDF usage tutorial
- Translation function
- Summary
Introduction to PDF Basic Content
PDF was originally designed to address the issue of inconsistent file display across different platforms, such as inconsistent formatting. Over time, it has undergone multiple versions of updates, from initial simple text and image support to the addition of multimedia elements, form filling functionality, and enhanced security features. In 2008, ISO standardized PDF as an open standard, which enabled more developers to participate in the innovation of PDF technology and greatly promoted its popularity.
Essentially, PDF is like a binder or folder containing individual pages. You can add pages to PDFs, split pages, and move pages from one PDF to another - almost like dealing with paper pages in a binder.
Technical characteristics of PDF
The core advantage of PDF lies in its cross platform compatibility and fixed layout capability. Whether on Windows, Mac, or Linux systems, or on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, PDFs can maintain their original layout unchanged. In addition, PDF supports rich multimedia content, including high-quality images, video links, etc., and can protect sensitive information through encryption, using digital signatures to verify document authenticity.
Application scenarios of PDF
PDF is widely used in various industries. For example, companies use it for contract signing and report publishing; Educational institutions distribute electronic textbooks and academic papers through PDF format; Government agencies rely on PDFs to publish policies and regulations. At the same time, individual users often use PDFs to create resumes, submit application materials, and even read them as e-books.
Advantages of PDF
Compared to other document formats, PDF has several significant advantages:
Consistency: Regardless of which device it is opened on, the content of the PDF file will be presented in the way set by the author.
Security: Built in password protection and other security mechanisms ensure document privacy.
Compressibility: It can effectively reduce file size without compromising content quality.
Accessibility: Supports functions such as screen readers, making it convenient for visually impaired individuals to access information.
Comparison between PDF and other document formats
Compared to Microsoft Word (. doc/. docx) files, PDF places more emphasis on the stability of page layout and is suitable for distributing the final version of the document. Compared to HTML web pages, PDF is more suitable for printing and offline viewing. Compared to static image formats such as PNG/JPEG, PDF can not only contain text but also embed interactive elements such as hyperlinks and buttons.
How to make PDF scans replicable and editable?
After getting a general understanding of PDF, let's talk about a problem that many friends have encountered or are trying to solve - how to make scanned PDF copies replicable and editable?
In fact, besides the need to convert scanned PDF files into text files during normal office work, such as when we buy some paper books we like to read, or when we are waiting for a car or someone outside, we can take them out and have a look when we are bored. But paper books are bulky and inconvenient to carry, so we can scan a few pages of the book in advance so that we can open our phones and take them out to read at any time. Some friends have a habit of taking notes while reading, so it is necessary to convert scanned copies into text files. Record your reading experience or questions anytime, anywhere, and then transcribe them to the corresponding position in the book, without worrying about forgetting halfway.
So how to convert scanned documents into replicable and editable text files? Here, we need to use an OCR tool. There are also many software with OCR function on the market, but some need to be downloaded and installed on the desktop of the computer, while others have a variety of functions. The tool I commonly use now is very simple and easy to use, without the need to download and install. Moreover, its functions are OCR and translation of file languages, which should be quite practical for most friends and can fully meet our needs. This tool is an online website called PDF to PDF. Let's take a look at the specific usage steps below!
PDF to PDF usage tutorial
1. Go to the pdftopdf.ai official website and upload a scanned PDF copy
- Directly click the upload button to select the file to be processed. The website supports uploading PDF scans and can handle PDF scans of various sizes without page limits.
2. OCR recognition and extraction of file content
- By using OCR technology to quickly recognize the content of PDF scans, the accuracy of extraction results can reach over 99%.
3.Download
After extracting the content of the PDF scanned document, click "Preview" to see the extraction effect. If satisfied, click "Expand Processing File" to select the language contained in the original file to help the algorithm better extract the content. Select the language and click "Start Production". On the pop-up payment page, select the desired OCR accuracy and payment method, and then download it for a fee.
The entire conversion process is very fast, without complex operations, and there is no need to download or install software. You can use it by entering the website. Whether it's pictures or text, the layout and accuracy are done very well, saving time for word by word proofreading. Compared with the original manual input, it greatly saves our time cost.
Translation function
Even if you need to translate after converting the file, there is no need to worry. PDF to PDF supports online translation, providing a one-stop solution for PDF text extraction and content translation.
The translation operation is also very simple. After uploading the file, click on "Expand Processing Files", find the translation function area on the newly popped up page, select the original file containing language and translation target language, click on "Start Translation" to pay for the download, which is very fast and convenient. Give it a try!
The first file for new users is processed for free, whether you are OCR extracting text or translating, as long as you are a new user, the first file is free. In addition, if you want more benefits, you can also share the website with friends, and both parties can get a 100 page Pro version (with high accuracy of converting pages). After entering the sharing portal on the website, you can see it at the top. Hurry up and share it with your friends!
Summary
The above provides a detailed analysis of the basic knowledge of Portable Document Format (PDF), covering its development history, technical characteristics, and wide applications. Emphasis was placed on the advantages of PDF in maintaining cross platform consistency, supporting multimedia content, and providing advanced security measures. By comparing with Word documents, HTML web pages, and other image formats, the unique value of PDF is further demonstrated.
This article introduces a simple and efficient solution to the problem encountered in practical application scenarios - how to convert difficult to edit scanned documents into replicable and editable text files. By utilizing optical character recognition (OCR) technology, especially with the online tool "PDF to PDF", users can easily extract and translate text from scanned documents. This tool is easy to operate, does not require software installation, and can maintain high-precision layout and content accuracy, significantly improving work efficiency and personal convenience.
Read more
评论
发表评论